Open Shelving: To Do or Not to Do? Bryan Baeumler Weighs In

April 24, 2018Bryan Baeumler

Renovations, design, construction and everything in between are highly debatable topics. Every individual has his or her opinion on these issues, and the entire industry is based upon subjectivity. Therefore, why not throw another debate on the table? I spoke about the downsides of open-concept living in a previous post and it seemed to be of interest, so let’s keep that going and pin the concept of “open shelving” on the board. Here’s my two cents on the topic.

Open Shelving: To Do or Not to Do? Bryan Baeumler Weighs In

April 24, 2018 Bryan Baeumler

Renovations, design, construction and everything in between are highly debatable topics. Every individual has his or her opinion on these issues, and the entire industry is based upon subjectivity. Therefore, why not throw another debate on the table? I spoke about the downsides of open-concept living in a previous post and it seemed to be of interest, so let’s keep that going and pin the concept of “open shelving” on the board. Here’s my two cents on the topic.

Pro: It’s Cheaper

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Pro: It’s Cheaper

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Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Installing cabinets in your kitchen (or anywhere in your home) is a costly task – it’s often one of the most expensive aspects of a kitchen redesign. Therefore, swapping a portion of closed shelving for open shelving can drastically reduce the cost of your new cooking space.
<br><br>
See here for <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/20-gorgeous-kitchens-that-will-inspire-you-to-embrace-open-shelving-1896891/">20 Gorgeous Kitchens That Will Inspire You to Embrace Open Shelving.</a>

Pro: It’s Cheaper

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Installing cabinets in your kitchen (or anywhere in your home) is a costly task – it’s often one of the most expensive aspects of a kitchen redesign. Therefore, swapping a portion of closed shelving for open shelving can drastically reduce the cost of your new cooking space.
<br><br>
See here for <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/20-gorgeous-kitchens-that-will-inspire-you-to-embrace-open-shelving-1896891/">20 Gorgeous Kitchens That Will Inspire You to Embrace Open Shelving.</a>

Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Con: Always on Show

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Con: Always on Show

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Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Open shelves are exactly that: open. They are consistently on show, and whatever is on those shelves can be seen by all. This means the contents displayed need to suit the rest of the kitchen, and should always be kept clean and organized.

Con: Always on Show

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Open shelves are exactly that: open. They are consistently on show, and whatever is on those shelves can be seen by all. This means the contents displayed need to suit the rest of the kitchen, and should always be kept clean and organized.

Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Pro: Easier Installation

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Pro: Easier Installation

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

All you need is some simple measuring and drilling skills to install open shelving. It still requires care and attention, but the installation of open shelving doesn’t need to be carried out by an expert. This can help reduce the cost of any renovation and allow you to take on the job yourself.

Pro: Easier Installation

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All you need is some simple measuring and drilling skills to install open shelving. It still requires care and attention, but the installation of open shelving doesn’t need to be carried out by an expert. This can help reduce the cost of any renovation and allow you to take on the job yourself.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Con: The Contents Need to Be Kept Organized

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Con: The Contents Need to Be Kept Organized

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Photo Credit: Unsplash

Keeping a kitchen tidy is tough enough as it is, especially when there are little hands on everything. So when you have plates and bowls stacked up on a display shelf, it's often more work to ensure they look organized.
<br><br>
Here are <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/15-ways-to-give-your-kitchen-a-deep-clean-for-spring-1914321/">15 Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Deep Clean for Spring.</a>

Con: The Contents Need to Be Kept Organized

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Keeping a kitchen tidy is tough enough as it is, especially when there are little hands on everything. So when you have plates and bowls stacked up on a display shelf, it's often more work to ensure they look organized.
<br><br>
Here are <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/cleaning-and-organization/photos/15-ways-to-give-your-kitchen-a-deep-clean-for-spring-1914321/">15 Ways to Give Your Kitchen a Deep Clean for Spring.</a>

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Pro: Keeps the Space Open

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Pro: Keeps the Space Open

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Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Cabinets automatically make a room feel more confined. They take up space and often come further off the wall than shelving. This can reduce the perception of openness in your home. If you prefer open-planned living and wide-open spaces, open shelving could be for you.

Pro: Keeps the Space Open

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Cabinets automatically make a room feel more confined. They take up space and often come further off the wall than shelving. This can reduce the perception of openness in your home. If you prefer open-planned living and wide-open spaces, open shelving could be for you.

Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Con: Difficult to Light

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Con: Difficult to Light

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Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

The addition of open shelving can offer up a lighting issue. Pot lights and generic lighting only brighten the room as a whole, but just like art, shelving needs spotlighting. This can increase your lighting budget and can make for a difficult design choice. Hint: <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/blog/articulating-lighting-sarah-baeumlers-latest-love-1909189/">articulating lighting can fix that</a> – Sarah insisted I added that in.

Con: Difficult to Light

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The addition of open shelving can offer up a lighting issue. Pot lights and generic lighting only brighten the room as a whole, but just like art, shelving needs spotlighting. This can increase your lighting budget and can make for a difficult design choice. Hint: <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/blog/articulating-lighting-sarah-baeumlers-latest-love-1909189/">articulating lighting can fix that</a> – Sarah insisted I added that in.

Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Pro: More Practical When Cooking

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Pro: More Practical When Cooking

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Photo Credit: Unsplash

As you might see in a chef’s kitchen, open shelving is often used. That’s because it makes grabbing a plate that much easier. There is no need to open a door and reach to the back of a cupboard to find what you need. For serious foodies out there, this is a major plus.

Pro: More Practical When Cooking

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As you might see in a chef’s kitchen, open shelving is often used. That’s because it makes grabbing a plate that much easier. There is no need to open a door and reach to the back of a cupboard to find what you need. For serious foodies out there, this is a major plus.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Con: Dust Collection

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Con: Dust Collection

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Photo Credit: Unsplash

As its name suggests, open shelving is open to the elements. This means dust, food splatters and other unwanted spills may land on the dishware housed on the shelves – which leads to more upkeep.

Con: Dust Collection

As its name suggests, open shelving is open to the elements. This means dust, food splatters and other unwanted spills may land on the dishware housed on the shelves – which leads to more upkeep.

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Pro: Fun Design Tool

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Pro: Fun Design Tool

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Photo Credit: HGTV Canada

Adding open shelving to a space often allows for more design freedom, like opting for a pop of colour or unique material. It’s not uncommon to make the shelving different to the cabinets and therefore break up the space. Open shelving is also much easier to swap out or replace when desired.
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As you can see, I’m on the fence over this debate. I can honestly see the pros and cons to both sides, and it’s something that should be decided on a case by case basis. Open shelving is a great option if budget is a worry, but it could become a nuisance if the space is prone to collecting dirt. But if you pushed me, I would have to side with the open shelving team! Sorry, cabinets.

Pro: Fun Design Tool

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READ LESS -

Adding open shelving to a space often allows for more design freedom, like opting for a pop of colour or unique material. It’s not uncommon to make the shelving different to the cabinets and therefore break up the space. Open shelving is also much easier to swap out or replace when desired.
<br><br>
As you can see, I’m on the fence over this debate. I can honestly see the pros and cons to both sides, and it’s something that should be decided on a case by case basis. Open shelving is a great option if budget is a worry, but it could become a nuisance if the space is prone to collecting dirt. But if you pushed me, I would have to side with the open shelving team! Sorry, cabinets.